It's always interesting to watch films from the early days of the silent era. But reviewing them isn't always-or almost ever-easy, as so much has changed since these films were made over 120 years ago. What made audiences marvel at the time-a combination of stage magic tricks like using smoke bombs and camera tricks like the substitution splice-doesn't impress anyone today. Back then, entertainment also came from theatrical performances, even on screen: exaggerated movements, elaborate costumes, lots of people doing various things on stage at the same time, and so on. Today, that sort of spectacle doesn't amuse most viewers. But we have to put ourselves in the shoes of early 20th-century audiences, many of whom were possibly experiencing cinema for the first time. This film about Zeus having trouble with his thunderbolts and the ensuing chaos must have been an amazing experience for viewers of the time. Some of the stop tricks here are quite smooth, like the umbrella morphing into a lightning bolt-the audience then probably had no idea how that was possible. I think the best we can do is appreciate pioneers like Georges Méliès, who paved the way for future generations to enjoy incredible cinematic experiences.
